Thursday Notes – September 2, 2010

Check out the Operation Beautiful book here!

Love Operation Beautiful and want to participate? Post a note, take a picture, and e-mail your story to Caitlin at OperationBeautiful@gmail.com.  Each note goes up on the site for thousands of others to read and enjoy! Make a change in this world… it starts with YOU!

Anonymous wrote, “I didn’t know about Operation Beautiful until about half an hour ago.  I have been having a rough week - I told my husband I wanted a divorce, and I’m moving out into my own apartment. It hasn’t been easy. Especially with him grasping at every possible straw to keep me from leaving – on top of trying to be civil around him for the sake of our daughter. She knows something’s not right, but isn’t sure what’s going on.  Anyway, I was just thinking how the stress of this week has definitely taken a toll on me – emotionally, but physically as well. My hair’s a mess and I just don’t care. I didn’t even put on makeup this morning.  But when I stepped up to the sink to wash my hands, I noticed a bright-pink sticky note that said "You are beautiful. You are awesome just the way you are." It was like that message was meant just for me, to tell me that I am okay, I’m going to be okay, and I will get through this. And I’m not the physical mess I seem to think I am…. I also posted my own note today – I felt pretty good after it. It’s the little things in life. ”

Jennifer wrote, “We were having a "Mom’s night out" and I had to stop in the bathroom on the way to another place and had walked up to the vanity when I saw this. I read it and smiled and thought what an amazing message!”

Amber posted this in a library book.  She wrote, “I feel a sense of renewed self worth thanks to the blog and book.  Even though I have been reading and commenting on your blog for awhile now, I have to admit that I still suffered from some serious self-esteem issues.  Reading my Bible daily really helps me remember who I am in this world.  And I am getting better about it by taking the time to journal and by reading the inspirational stories on your websites!”

Natalie wrote, “I think that Operation Beautiful is such a wonderful thing. I am a sixteen year old girl, and I never used to be confident when I was younger. But as I grew up, I realized how truly awesome, beautiful, and talented I am! I hate to see people like my friends and my sister who struggle so much with their body image. I can honestly say it is one of the saddest things I have ever seen when such beautiful women and young girls see themselves as nothing special at all. You ARE special! I wish I could shout it to the world so everyone can hear me… but I can! When school starts this fall I plan on going through my school with notes of hope and happiness to share with everyone. I realize I live in a small town, but I can still do something! I want to make all the incoming freshman smile and know that they are so great and that they can get through this difficult time.”

Tania wrote, “I have made a poster with what things I would tell my girlfriends but I would never tell myself those things.  So I took a picture of it and it is now my wall paper on my computer and my cell phone and my profile page on Facebook.  I have emailed to  all my female friends too!!!”

Did you post these notes?  Anonymous wrote, “Some wonderful woman has been posting these notes, but I don’t know who!”

Catie wrote, “I love Operation Beautiful for helping me get through the day and for hopefully helping other beautiful people smile through their hardships, as well.
So far, I’ve left notes on a gas pump, in a grocery store dressing room, and on a book store bathroom mirror.  I told my friend about it and she works at the grocery store.  Later, she texted me and said that her friends and co-workers loved the note and they thought it was beautiful that a person would do something like that.  I was so happy, I could’ve exploded! Thank to Operation Beautiful for inspiring so many to, in turn, inspire so many more.  This idea must spread its wings and lift off the ground.”

Here’s what a man thought when he found an Operation Beautiful note!  Rick wrote, “I was coming home today from work in downtown San Francisco; I had a less then stellar review today at work and was feeling kind of down. I had my arm the handrail on the Muni Metro and noticed a note. I looked down to read it and was so surprised. It was so unexpected and cleverly placed as to be inconspicuous; I took a photo and posted it on my FB page (my mom LOVES this kind of stuff!).”

Have a beautiful day!